11 Weeks Young

Today, we are sleep training. It is much harder than I thought it would be, and since I am alone today, as Daryl is out mountain biking at Sun Peaks, my only support is from Fletcher.
So far, Gabrielle has been fighting her nap since 9:00 but has been quiet for the last 1/2 hour. I think she might be asleep...finally. She is just so gosh darn tired! I start off by feeding her, changing her, a good swaddle and a rock in the chair until her little eyes are all but slits. We make our way slowly and carefully to the crib, I kiss her and tell her I love her and place her gently in her bed. All is wonderful and quiet for about 15 minutes until something happens. Then she screams. I use to pick her up and rock her and start that process all over again to calm her down - but now I just try to do that from outside the crib and leave her in there. She screams less and less each time - but there is still less than 5 minutes between my visits. However - something had to give, and I think she might be napping! YAY! I don't dare leave my room and head down stairs for fear I'll have to bolt up here again. I try to get to her before the crying becomes hysterical and inconsolable. I wish I could nap now too!

As always, I am so thankful that she is sleeping so well at night. Last night - only 1 feeding at 2am - but we did soak though our diaper, sleeper & blanket - so we were up for a little longer than we wanted to be! I might go back to disposables at night - they seem to absorb more.

So our little angel is 11 weeks old today. So hard to believe how fast the time has gone! There are days that drag by, and others that just fly by - all in all, it's been pretty much a blur. We are close to the 3 month mark - and hoping everyday that the cries will subside and there will be more smiles and laughs.

I think that we're going to try to set up a routine again. Maybe she is old enough to accept parts of it. Daryl has to be in Vancouver and Squamish next week, and at first we were going to tag along again, but the drive, hotels, crazy hours and lack of "home" comforts (like the rocking chair) make it all a bit daunting for me. So, I think we're going to stay home. Thankfully I can call upon grand-mama if it all gets to be a bit too much. I am so very lucky to have her support so close at hand, and for her to be so willing and patient with Gabrielle as she exercises her lungs. maybe she will be an opera singer?